Men's Fragrances: Balancing Style, Impact, and Masculinity
65% of British men aged 16 to 24 check themselves in the mirror throughout the day to see what they look like and make sure they are presentable. But what about how they smell?
Using men's fragrances, you can rely on is a great way to no longer worry about whether you smell good.
Figuring out what fragrance will work for you best is a challenge, however, because there are so many options out there and so many scents to choose from. Not knowing how it all works can be intimidating.
How can you choose the right men's fragrance? What should you know about different types of fragrances before purchasing one?
If you want to learn how you can choose men's fragrances you love, keep reading below for everything you should know.
Why Wear Men's Fragrances?
The main reason is obviously to make yourself smell a little bit better, but what other reasons do people have for wearing their favourite scents?
One study showed that olfactory stimulation, or stimulation of your sense of smell, can help foster more positive relationships with people or even improve mood.
In addition to that, it's known that people associate different smells with memories better than other senses due to the location of the olfactory bulb. Smelling good can give others a more positive impression and memory of you!
Another reason to add a fragrance to your overall routine is that it helps you seem a little more put together overall.
Men and women that wear fragrances come off as wanting to take care of themselves. They may even seem a little more sophisticated to the average person!
Fragrances can boost your self-confidence as well because when you smell good, you feel good.
What's the Difference Between Cologne, Perfume, and Toilette?
Fragrance comes in many different forms, with some of the most popular being perfume (eau de parfum), cologne (eau de cologne), and toilette (eat de toilette).
Parfum is the most concentrated type of fragrance with 20-30% pure essence. This means it is the longest-lasting fragrance you can find. Parfum is available in masculine and feminine scents.
Perfume (eau de parfum) is the next most concentrated type of fragrance at 15-20% concentration after that is toilette (eau de toilette), which comes in at 5-15% concentration dissolved in alcohol.
Cologne (eau de cologne) is the oldest name for perfume and describes many masculine scents. It is usually concentrated at 2-4% perfume oils in alcohol and water.
Another option, which only lasts for an hour or less, is eau Fraiche. This is a very diluted version with only about 2% perfume oil in water and/or alcohol.
The Three Notes of Fragrance
Fragrances have a life cycle consisting of three parts: top, medium, and base. These are different fragrance notes that you'll be able to smell as the scent lingers.
The top note is usually the first smell you get that hits the nose right away. This can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to 2 hours.
The medium note comes about after the top note to build off that initial scent and can last for up to 5 hours.
The base note is typically a bolder smell that becomes noticeable as you wear the fragrance throughout the day. These notes last the longest as well. Common base notes include sandalwood, tobacco, musk, and vanilla.
The main thing to note is that the scent will change over time, so you need to find one you like throughout its life cycle.
How to Select the Best Men's Fragrance
The best way to figure out which fragrance works for you is to simply try it. While that seems easier said than done, we can give you some tips on selecting one that you're more inclined to actually like.
Different fragrances will complement your natural body scent in their own way, so you actually have to wear it to see what it will smell like in reality.
For this reason, choosing a shop that offers returns if you don't like the fragrance or if it doesn't mix well with your natural scent is very important if you're trying to find your signature scent.
The good news is that when you can actually smell the fragrance in person, even before you put it on, you're likely to know whether or not it will go with your natural odour. Studies show that people can choose perfumes that will complement them without even knowing it.
To test a fragrance, spray it into the air first to see if you like the top note; if you do, add it to your wrist. After about 20 minutes, you'll be able to smell the middle note. After another hour, you can smell the base note and see if it's the right fragrance for you.
Before you purchase, consider looking up some of the most common notes used in fragrances to see which appeal to you most.
Where to Apply the Scent
It's best to choose one or two main areas to apply your fragrance. The recommended areas to add your scent include:
- Inner elbow
- Shoulder
- Neck
- Lower jaw
- Wrist
- Chest
- Forearm
Make sure that you don't use too much! Less is more, so just start with one spray.
Be sure to apply it to dry skin instead of clothing. Don't fall for the classic wasteful tactic of spraying it into the air and walking through it because it doesn't really work very well.
You also don't want to "kill the note" by rubbing your sprayed skin onto another part of your skin. Spray it and let it soak into your skin without touching it.
Choose the Perfect Fragrance for You
Now that you have a basic guide to help you choose fragrances that will work for you, it's time to start your search.
Whether you're looking for men's cologne or some type of parfum, we have what you need! Our website is full of different options for beginners to experiment with some designer brands that people love.
Check out our collection of men's fragrances today to find your signature scent.
